Sexton to start for Leinster

Out-half Jonathan Sexton will start for Leinster against Racing-Metro in Pool 2 of the Heineken Cup at The RDS tomorrow afternoon (1.30pm).

The return of Shane Jennings means Dominic Ryan drops to the bench, but Jamie Heaslip retains the captaincy as Leo Cullen could not proive his fitness.

Eoin Reddan gets the nod over Isaac Bopss at scrum-half, Isa Nacewa ousts Shane Horgan on the right wing and Heinke van der Merwe will start at loose-head, Cian Healy being used in an impact role.

LEINSTER (v Racing Metro): R Kearney; I Nacewa, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddan; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross, N Hines, D Toner, S O’Brien, S Jennings, J Heaslip (capt).

Replacements: J Harris-Wright, C Healy, S Shawe, M Galarza, D Ryan, I Boss, F McFadden, S Horgan.

Meanwhile, Jerome Fillol will fill in for the injured Juan-Martin Hernandez at fly-half for Racing-Metro 92.

Springbok Frans Steyn has been left in his regular position at full-back behind a dangerous three-quarter line including Sereli Bobo and Andrea Masi.

It is up front where Racing will pose the greatest problems, French captain Lionel Nallet and Sebastian Chabal their talismen in a pack of massive men.

RACING-METRO (v Leinster): F Steyn; S Bobo, A Vulivuli, A Masi, J Saubade; J Fillol, N Durand; A Lo Cicero, B Noirot, J-P Orlandi, L Nallet (capt), J Qovu, J Leo’o, J Cronje, S Chabal.

Replacements: C Festuccia, S Zimmerman, J Brugnaut, S Delappe, M Loree, M Bergamasco, R Vaquin, A Battut.